Top Rock Hind Fishing Countries

The Rock Hind (Epinephelus adscensionis) is a species of grouper found primarily in the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean Sea, and along the southeastern coast of the United States, as well as parts of Brazil. Recognized by its robust body, brownish color, and distinctive reddish spots, the Rock Hind inhabits rocky reefs and ledges, where it is both a popular target for recreational anglers and a minor component of commercial fisheries. The top countries harvesting Rock Hind include the United States (especially in the Gulf of Mexico), Mexico, and various Caribbean nations such as the Bahamas and Cuba. While not a major commercial species compared to other groupers, Rock Hind is valued locally for its firm, white flesh and is often caught using hook-and-line, traps, and occasionally spearfishing. Sustainable management practices are important for this species, as groupers in general are vulnerable to overfishing due to their slow growth and reproductive habits.

Data from FAO. 2025. Global Capture Production. In: Fisheries and Aquaculture.